Bonito Lake: 9/22 City of Alamogordo Commission Meeting, Agenda Item #8

An update to the 8/30 article by Otero County Botanicals. Pictured is a still from the 8/25 meeting video.
https://oteronativeplants.substack.com/p/bonito-lake-why-suddenly-fence-it

I encourage all interested parties, especially the entities named in the agenda item (link), below, to attend the meeting, and make public comment.
• Holloman AFB
• New Mexico Department of Wildlife
• State of New Mexico
• Lincoln County
• Village of Ruidoso
• City of Ruidoso Downs

It’s my desire to see the commission examine all aspects of Bonito Lake, and make up a comprehensive plan on how to move forward, even if creating that plan takes multiple meetings. There’s no need, or rush, to devalue the lake’s recreational amenities and value, and break precedent and plans already in place. And while the recommendation for the city to examine options with stakeholders, is great, and is already started, since the 9/1 public forum, there’s great cause for hesitation and skepticism in a 6 month timeframe with minimal requirements/expectations, and with staff who still isn’t showing the commission all the appropriate documents and information about the item.

On 8/25, when the commission tabled the item, it asked for the following information. It’s thus far not listed in the upcoming agenda.
• Annual attendance
• A history of area lawsuits

During the 8/25 meeting, and again for the 9/22 meeting, why weren’t the following items included?
• The 2024-2028 Open Gate Agreement with NMDOW. The 1st staff recommendation was to cancel the agreement. Not disclosed was the refund amount, if cancelled, that I estimate to be $22k. Under the contract’s “Notice of Possible Municipal Action” clause, NMDOW should have been informed ahead of time of both the 8/25 and 9/25 meetings, otherwise it’s a “material breach of this Agreement.”
• The 2024 Parks & Recreation Master Plan. “Bonito Lake is a special facility owned by the City. While the priority is to replace the existing road, there is a great need to improve the campgrounds and associated facilities so that Bonito Lake can be reopened to the public for day use, overnight camping, hiking, and fishing.”
• The “$250,000 State appropriation” is finally mentioned for 9/22. What wasn’t mentioned is that it was the (2025) 1st of “five (5) recommended capital outlay projects for Fiscal Years 2027-2031… ,“ out of a list of 67 possible projects.

Regarding the Utilities Department work, including fencing the dam/spillway, debris mitigation, retention basins (sediment ponds), Rodamaker Canyon, etc. I’ve mentioned that this is separate from recreation, meaning the Parks & Recreation Department, the Open Gate Agreement with NMDOW, and should not be tied/jumbled together. It’s both important and urgent to get resolved, and relates to water rates, which just might have to increase for this. For clarification, the lake should never have to be dredged again, and the duck pond (last stopgap) is half full, with no road down into it to pump it.

Regarding the priorities, there is no 1st priority for drinking water, 2nd priority for recreation, unless the commission make that precedent. It’s always been both, and more. “To manage and preserve Alamogordo’s most valuable source of water supply. To provide the public a clean, safe recreational site in which they can picnic, camp or fish, and to maintain the Bonito Lake Campgrounds, the dam and the Bonito pipeline from the lake to Three Rivers. In addition, to plan and implement Resource Conservation and Development projects.“

NMDOW Agreement Questions:
• Have they been contacted about the “wildlife habitat incentives” in the agreement?
• The Blue Hole / Apple Orchard Campground, which is not on the shoreline, is it exempt from the agreement, and thus would be able to charge fees for parking, camping, etc. ?

Explore ways to make recreation more profitable:
• (10/8-11) Visit Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso to see the Xterra World Championship (fall finales 2026-2028, plus Spring qualifiers). Grindstone lake also charges for parking, boat permits, camping, Wibit (floating inflatable water park). Also their Disc Golf, located outside, is free. Used as movie backdrops.
• The forest service’s Schoolhouse Picnic Area (link), just down the road, charges $5/day (an unattended money drop), and has signs saying “no potable water,” and “pack out your trash.” Fees for day use, and dispersed/primitive camping, would help fund renovations.
• The most requested features in the 2022 survey were camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking. Monetize these, and centralize/reduce staff. Hold special events. Use the area to advertise Alamogordo attractions. Compare to amenities at similar lakes: Inn of the Mountain Gods, Silver Lake, Grindstone Lake, Alto Lake, and also to South Fork Campground.

Regarding Recommendation 3 “…examine possible long-term options for the future of the lake in concert with (entities)… 6 months… ,“ what are desired outcomes? What if nobody else, the State, Lincoln County, Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and other stakeholders, can’t or won’t help fund renovations at our lake? Are we then going to revisit fencing off the entire lake. Maybe keep the lake open for fishing, but still not remediate the campgrounds. How about the cost to demolish all the campground facilities, like bathrooms, that look brand new on the outside, but need a little work on the inside.